Harley-Davidson to build Mars rover
by Mark on 2/1/2004 (1)
 | Harley-Davidson on Mars? | | Disgusted with NASA's snail's pace approach with their Martian rovers, Harley-Davidson is planning something much, much badder.
Harley vice-president Laura Lee explains:
"We want to see some action up there, not some crawly little dune buggy that takes all day to travel an inch. We want to build a rover that hauls ass, kicks up some Martian dust, and makes a 25 mile run in 25 minutes."
Lee shuffled a stack of design prototype photos, setting several aside.
"These are my favorites...This one is based on the Heritage Soft Tail, and is built for distance and comfort, just the thing for the endless rocky Martian terrain. And here's one based on the classic XR-750 racing model. This puppy will eat up Martian dirt like a rattlesnake on a rabbit farm."
Harley has approached Russian officials about launching their rover on a Energia rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome
"It looks like a go-ahead. It's amazing what the Russians will do for ten million bucks!"
The rover is expected to land on Mars in spring, 2006.
When asked if the rover will carry any scientific experiment packages, Lee chuckled:
"Naaahhh...We just want to land it right next to one of NASA's rovers, and kick some red dust up in their faces."
A Harley comet chaser is reportedly on the drawing boards for 2007. No details are yet avaiableone">
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